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Afro American Union Burial Ground

Afro American Union Burial Ground In 1851, James F. Brown along with Samuel Sampson, Edward Bush, Christian Reynolds, and Samuel Gomer purchased from John DeWindt, a portion of the land adjacent to the Methodist Cemetery to create a cemetery for the black community. The first burial was of J. Henry Roose on October 31, 1851.

On Monday, May 20, 1851, the trustees recorded the deed for the cemetery.

There are a few surviving stones: for Warren Gomer, who may have been related to Samuel Gomer and for two Civil War soldiers, one is for Jno Jones and the other, which is not legible, may be for Henry Sayles.

Warren Gomer, died 1858

Jno Jones

May be for Henry Sayles

Spencer DeFreese, died in 1875

The stone for Civil War veteran Spencer DeFreese, who was buried on July 18, 1875, must have fallen and moved at some point. It is now in the Methodist section.